Remembering Joe Attubato

Thursday

Friends and local officials remembered Joe Attubato for his dedicated service to Saugus and his love of family.

Attubato, a lifelong Saugus resident and Saugus Public Works employee for more than half a century, died on Aug. 20 at his School Street home at the age of 87.

Attubato’s career with the Department of Public Works spanned from 1961 to 2012 – including the last 28 years as director. He also served many years as a Town Meeting member and was an associate member of the Planning Board.

Town Manager Scott Crabtree said he was deeply saddened to hear of Attubato’s passing.

“Joe was a tremendous asset to the Department of Public Works and the Town of Saugus for many, many years, and he was beloved by the entire community,” Crabtree said. “Joe dedicated his life’s work to the town and DPW. He spent over 50 years as an employee of the DPW; more than half of which he served as the director. In addition, Joe was one of the town’s longest-running Town Meeting members and he volunteered on the Planning Board.”

Crabtree said it was truly an honor to know and work with Attubato.

“We worked together when I was a police officer with the Saugus Police Department, a Saugus selectmen, and during my time as town manager,” Crabtree said. “While serving on the board and as town manager, Joe made an effort to reach out to me, help educate me, and offer guidance. He made he feel welcome and supported. I am lucky to have been able to call Joe my dear friend.”

Attubato was a selfless person who would do anything for the town, Crabtree said.

“His commitment to Saugus was unmatched,” Crabtree said. “The community was incredibly lucky to have him as an employee, volunteer and leader. And most of all Joe was an incredibly proud, committed, and loving family man. My heart goes out to Joe’s family. Joe was a great family man. He will be sorely missed by all.”

Ballard Street resident Peter Manoogian credited Attubato with overseeing the completion of numerous improvements to the town’s infrastructure, particularly the water and sewer system.

Manoogian called Attubato a “true Saugonian.”

“He loved his town, took pride in his department and was an asset in Town Meeting,” Manoogian said. “Most of all, Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His family can be proud that Joe left Saugus a better place because of his dedication, service and accomplishments. He will be missed.”

Prior to joining the Saugus DPW, Attubato served in the Air Force for four years during the Korean War. Following his military commitment he returned to Saugus, where he raised his sons Edward and Joseph with his wife Marion.

Selectman Jeff Cicolini told the Advertiser he lost a dear friend in Attubato, who was very close to Cicolini’s late father Vin. He expressed his sincere condolences to the Attubato family.

In his role as DPW director, Attubato prioritized the safety of residents above everything else, Cicolini said.

During snowstorms Attubato made sure the hills and dangerous intersections were thoroughly plowed, Cicolini said.

“His contributions to the town were limitless,” Cicolini said. “He was always willing to do whatever it took to put the people of Saugus first.”

Cicolini commended Attubato for being a hands-on, responsive DPW director – and not someone who just delegated tasks from the office.

“He didn’t have allegiance to any administration, his allegiance was to the Town of Saugus,” Cicolini said.

Former Town Moderator Bob Long said he was impressed by Attubato’s institutional knowledge of all things public works. But what truly resonated from interactions with Attubato was how much he cared about Saugus and his family, Long said.

Long told the Advertiser that Attubato was very proud of his children and their accomplishments. He recalled how he would drive to and from Plymouth State University in a day to watch his son play a football and still be on top of any DPW issues that arose.

As a department head, Attubato had the respect of the Finance Committee and Town Meeting members when it came to budgetary matters, Long said.

The fact that Attubato remained with the DPW past the age of 80 reporting to a host of different administrations is a reflection of how valuable he was to the department and his love of the job, Long said.

“He loved doing what he was doing,” Long said. “He always tried to help you with a department that was understaffed and shortchanged for years.”

Board of Selectmen Chairman Debra Panetta said she was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Attubato.

Panetta praised Attubato for doing a wonderful job heading the DPW for so many years, in addition to excelling as a Town Meeting member.

Attubato was a pillar in the community and a role model who others looked up to, Panetta said.

More than anything else, Attubato was a great person who was always ready and willing to help others, Panetta said.

“When people think of Joe Attubato, a smile comes to your face,” Panetta said. “When you see people you care about such as Joe pass it’s like a little piece of you fades away.”

Panetta stressed that Attubato left an impressive legacy in his hometown.

“I’ve known Joe for over 25 years, and he was someone that I trusted and respected,” Panetta said. “I served on Town Meeting with Joe for several years. He was our DPW director for Saugus where he did a great job looking after Saugus’ infrastructure. In times of emergency, you could always count on Joe. His love of Saugus was evident by his commitment and passion by helping to provide a safer and healthier community. He will be greatly missed.”

Selectman Scott Brazis said he always liked Attubato and appreciated the work he did to benefit Saugus.

Being the DPW director isn’t an easy position, Brazis said, adding that Attubato more than met the challenge while answering to numerous town managers.

“To do the job for so long and still be appreciated says an awful lot about his ability and character,” Brazis said. “He was just a really good guy.”

As DPW director, Attubato never turned a deaf ear to residents and resolved issues with his evenhanded demeanor, Brazis said.

For Selectman Jennifer D’Eon, what stood out in Attubato was his warm and friendly nature while giving decades of his life to helping the town.

“He always had time to talk,” D’Eon said. “He generously shared his views and wealth of knowledge about anything and everything DPW – sewer pipes, trees and plowing. I will miss his smiling face. My deepest condolences to his family, he will be missed.”

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours for Attubato at the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, 549 Lincoln Ave., Saugus on Sunday, Aug. 25 from 4-8 p.m. A funeral will be held from the funeral home on Monday, Aug. 26 at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral service at Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Summer St., Saugus at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Saugus.